House Fire - EVERYTHING LOST
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When it seems like those you love the most are ripped from your hands, how do you release your grip long enough to see the face of almighty God? And if you happen to catch a glimpse of Him, do you ask, “What kind of God would permit such havoc … such pain … such loss?”
These no doubt are a few of the questions that Danny and Dina Alvarez asked themselves when, on one tragic morning (March 23, 2016), they not only lost their home, they also lost all of their belongings ---EVERYTHING, and they lost all the memories attached to them as well.
It happened so suddenly. There were no warnings. They never imagined an early-morning electrical short that would cause a fire. They never imagined what it would do to their marriage, despite the tragedy, it made them stronger. They never imagined what it would do to their family, despite the tragedy, it brought them all closer. And, they never imagined what something like this could do to their lives moving forward – every day in the life of their tomorrow, forever remains a mystery.
Danny, Dina and their 11 year old granddaughter Jleigha lived in the home. They had pets too: chickens and a rooster. Dina was the only one home at the time of the fire, albeit sleeping as she works nights. Her husband Danny was working and their granddaughter was at school. Thanks to a neighbor (Joe), Dina was able to get out of the house unharmed. Sadly though, they lost all of their pets.
They owned their beautiful one-story home in Amarillo, Texas for over 25 years and as such it was also home to their children growing up and their grandchildren too. The memories they all created there can never be replaced, nor can they ever be forgotten. So very much love went into this home daily, Danny and Dina took their time through the years and they made it their own with additions and irreplaceable furnishings.
The fire that took their home at 2908 Detroit in Amarillo, Texas began in the early morning hours on March 23, 2016. An electrical short was the cause which was then aided by 50 mile an hour winds. Amarillo is the second windiest city in the United States. Dina just barely made it out with her life and then she stood on the sidelines with all of the other spectators, in shock, in horror, in sadness and in tears as she watched every single shred of their life’s memories go up in flames. THEY LOST ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! All their worthy possessions; their clothes; furnishings; important documents; automobile; tools; photographs; money and so, so very much more.
To add insult to the fire that left only small, charred fragments of their life behind, as night fell upon the ruins of their now burned home, thieves made their way onto the destruction and rummaged through anything salvageable and took it for their own. Although there wasn’t much left of any value, what was left, things like tools and other personal and worthy possessions – possessions worthy to them, were stolen. Now I ask you, what kind of person can steal from someone who just lost everything?! As Danny was quoted saying, “God will forgive them.” However, as I (a friend of the family) write this on their behalf, I’m finding it hard to do as God would do and forgive.
The Alvarez family is devastated! To say this fire seared the lives of them all is an understatement. I mean everything they thought was so important and so dear in their house is now gone, and it’s just ... it's just that there’s a lot of memories in that house, a very lot and this has left them all with feelings of defeat, grief, sadness and even depression.
Danny, Dina and their granddaughter are currently staying at a hotel but this will likely change soon. They do have family in the area but to which of them they will turn to next is still uncertain as many a consideration must be taken into account for all involved in this endeavor - after all, this is not a weekend visit for either party. Their other option is renting a place in the interim, which of course takes money, money they do not have. Even still, finding a new place to live will take a bit of time to actually transpire.
To add to their misery they are also dealing with the added stress of the home owners insurance company, and while they do have insurance it takes a considerable amount of time to get things in order for any kind of reimbursement. Most homeowner's policies insure both the home and the contents against fire damage. Typically though, the Insurance Information Institute states, the contents--personal property including furniture, clothes and books--will be covered for 50 to 70 percent of the building coverage, which of course is far less than its true value. In any future foreseeable homeowner's insurance situation, they will remain behind the eight-ball and in arrears.
As for now, at this very moment - they've lost everything. As a family they have overcome so many past obstacles, but are now facing one of the biggest of their lives. So on behalf of my friends, I am asking you to PLEASE, help me bless this family with prayers and financial assistance, anything is more than they have.
If you live locally, they are taking donations of any kind, from clothing and every day living essentials to gift cards. Monetary donations can be made via this site or through a benifit account at Amarillo Federal Community, account number 4360370.
Thank you and God Bless!
These no doubt are a few of the questions that Danny and Dina Alvarez asked themselves when, on one tragic morning (March 23, 2016), they not only lost their home, they also lost all of their belongings ---EVERYTHING, and they lost all the memories attached to them as well.
It happened so suddenly. There were no warnings. They never imagined an early-morning electrical short that would cause a fire. They never imagined what it would do to their marriage, despite the tragedy, it made them stronger. They never imagined what it would do to their family, despite the tragedy, it brought them all closer. And, they never imagined what something like this could do to their lives moving forward – every day in the life of their tomorrow, forever remains a mystery.
Danny, Dina and their 11 year old granddaughter Jleigha lived in the home. They had pets too: chickens and a rooster. Dina was the only one home at the time of the fire, albeit sleeping as she works nights. Her husband Danny was working and their granddaughter was at school. Thanks to a neighbor (Joe), Dina was able to get out of the house unharmed. Sadly though, they lost all of their pets.
They owned their beautiful one-story home in Amarillo, Texas for over 25 years and as such it was also home to their children growing up and their grandchildren too. The memories they all created there can never be replaced, nor can they ever be forgotten. So very much love went into this home daily, Danny and Dina took their time through the years and they made it their own with additions and irreplaceable furnishings.
The fire that took their home at 2908 Detroit in Amarillo, Texas began in the early morning hours on March 23, 2016. An electrical short was the cause which was then aided by 50 mile an hour winds. Amarillo is the second windiest city in the United States. Dina just barely made it out with her life and then she stood on the sidelines with all of the other spectators, in shock, in horror, in sadness and in tears as she watched every single shred of their life’s memories go up in flames. THEY LOST ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! All their worthy possessions; their clothes; furnishings; important documents; automobile; tools; photographs; money and so, so very much more.
To add insult to the fire that left only small, charred fragments of their life behind, as night fell upon the ruins of their now burned home, thieves made their way onto the destruction and rummaged through anything salvageable and took it for their own. Although there wasn’t much left of any value, what was left, things like tools and other personal and worthy possessions – possessions worthy to them, were stolen. Now I ask you, what kind of person can steal from someone who just lost everything?! As Danny was quoted saying, “God will forgive them.” However, as I (a friend of the family) write this on their behalf, I’m finding it hard to do as God would do and forgive.
The Alvarez family is devastated! To say this fire seared the lives of them all is an understatement. I mean everything they thought was so important and so dear in their house is now gone, and it’s just ... it's just that there’s a lot of memories in that house, a very lot and this has left them all with feelings of defeat, grief, sadness and even depression.
Danny, Dina and their granddaughter are currently staying at a hotel but this will likely change soon. They do have family in the area but to which of them they will turn to next is still uncertain as many a consideration must be taken into account for all involved in this endeavor - after all, this is not a weekend visit for either party. Their other option is renting a place in the interim, which of course takes money, money they do not have. Even still, finding a new place to live will take a bit of time to actually transpire.
To add to their misery they are also dealing with the added stress of the home owners insurance company, and while they do have insurance it takes a considerable amount of time to get things in order for any kind of reimbursement. Most homeowner's policies insure both the home and the contents against fire damage. Typically though, the Insurance Information Institute states, the contents--personal property including furniture, clothes and books--will be covered for 50 to 70 percent of the building coverage, which of course is far less than its true value. In any future foreseeable homeowner's insurance situation, they will remain behind the eight-ball and in arrears.
As for now, at this very moment - they've lost everything. As a family they have overcome so many past obstacles, but are now facing one of the biggest of their lives. So on behalf of my friends, I am asking you to PLEASE, help me bless this family with prayers and financial assistance, anything is more than they have.
If you live locally, they are taking donations of any kind, from clothing and every day living essentials to gift cards. Monetary donations can be made via this site or through a benifit account at Amarillo Federal Community, account number 4360370.
Thank you and God Bless!
Organiser and beneficiary
Josh Shakera Gutierrez
Organiser
Amarillo, TX
Danny Alvarez
Beneficiary
